Agartala, July 27: In a remarkable display of strategic prowess and teamwork, Holy Cross School emerged victorious in the first-ever State School Rating Team Chess Tournament, outplaying 51 other schools from across Tripura.
The winning team—comprising Anurag Bhattacharya, Ayush Saha, Adrush Karmakar, and Kushal Sarkar—clinched the top position, showcasing dominance on the 64-square battlefield.
The tournament, organized by the Tripura Chess Association at the NSRCC Chess Hall, saw Shree Krishna Mission School and Shri Shri Ravi Shankar Vidya Mandir securing the second and third positions, respectively.
A total of 52 schools from various districts participated in the championship, marking a record turnout for chess in the state.
Celebrated Finale and Prize Distribution
The final four rounds of the tournament were held on Sunday, followed by a vibrant prize distribution ceremony in the afternoon. The event was graced by several dignitaries, including Tripura Olympic Association Chairman Ratan Saha, Secretary Sujit Roy, Sports Board Secretary Sukanta Ghosh, Northeast Chess Development Committee Chairman K.M. Wazari, Tripura Chess Association President Abhijit Moulik, and others.
Expressing delight at the overwhelming response, Sports Board Secretary Sukanta Ghosh said, “We had no idea that so many children in Tripura are passionate about chess. It’s a promising sign for the future of the sport in the state.”
He also lauded the Tripura Chess Association’s leadership for its tireless efforts in nurturing the game.
Mithu Debnath, Secretary of the association, reaffirmed their commitment to expanding the chess movement across Tripura.
“With continued support and encouragement, we are confident that Tripura will produce many promising players in the years to come,” he said.
New Initiatives on the Horizon
Plans are underway to introduce new initiatives for the growth and development of chess in Tripura. The association aims to reach more schools, organize regular tournaments, and build a stronger grassroots network to identify and nurture young talent.
Top Performers Recognized Across Boards
The tournament recognized standout performers on each of the five boards:
- First Board: Ardhya Das, Shakya Sinha Modak, Antarip Acharya, Shibjit Saha, and Prithviraj Saha
- Second Board: Agrajit Pal, Krishanu Choudhury, Aradhya Choudhury, Ayush Saha, and Abhinab Nath
- Third Board: Ankita Sarkar, Datta Megnas, Adrush Karmakar, Sangeet Das, and Biprajit Patowari
- Fourth Board: Kushal Sarkar, Pitambar Debnath, Prajnan Das, Ratnadwip Sutradhar, and Anshuman Debnath
- Fifth Board: Kaniks Choudhury, Mohammad Arman Khan, Abir Dey, and Pradipta Kar
Recognition for All Participants
In a gesture of encouragement, all participating players received medals and certificates from the state association. Additionally, coaches and team managers from the participating schools were felicitated for their contribution to the event’s success.
Parents and guardians, who attended in large numbers, expressed satisfaction with the smooth organization and competitive spirit of the tournament. Many urged the Tripura Chess Association to hold more such events and continue its mission of popularizing chess among schoolchildren.
Kiriti Datta, Joint Secretary of the Tripura Chess Association, extended heartfelt congratulations to the victorious Holy Cross School team and commended all participants for their enthusiasm and sportsmanship.
